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Out-of-this-world sound at a down-to-earth price

With its extended frequency response and groove-hugging elliptical diamond stylus, the Sumiko Pearl delivers the kind of gripping performance that'll keep your toes tapping from the very first note to the very last drum roll. Cymbal splashes come across as natural, open, and airy, while bass lines are rendered tight, deep, and tuneful. Even surface noise, one of vinyl's Achilles heels, is pushed far off into the background. You'll enjoy sparkling clarity and warmth with every disc in your treasured vinyl library.

What's in the box?

Product Research

Features

Overview: The Sumiko Pearl is a moving magnet phono
cartridge with an alloy cantilever, bonded elliptical stylus, and 4.0 mV output.
The Pearl cartridge offers superior construction and sound quality with an
emphasis on real world performance.

Compatibility: The Sumiko Pearl turntable cartridge is
an ideal replacement for any standard 1/2" mount turntable or headshell.

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to
find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research
team. They verify what’s in the box, check the owner's manual, and record
dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies
to help people make informed choices.

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A Real Pearl

I am in the market for a new TT to replace an old 'plastic' Pioneer but was quickly over whelmed by the many choices that are out there. I was also reluctant to upgrade to a better cartridge for fear it would out perform the TT, but I comprised and upgraded my Oyster to see where that would get me and was pleasantly surprised by the Pearl's sound. It has brought new my life to old vinyl. Deeper, richer base, midrange that reaches out and grabs you and clearer highs than I am used to w/ far less sibilance and distortion. Obviously the price can't be beat. If you need a quick, respectable upgrade and don't want to over spend, this is the way to go.

Pros:Inexpensive way to upgrade an old turntable. Great sound for the money!

Good value

I wanted to replace the Sumiko Oyster cartridge that came fitted on my Pro-Ject Xpression Carbon turntable having never replaced a phono cartridge since taking up this hobby centuries ago. After reading through every article and audio forum on the subject I could find, I decided to keep it simple and stayed with the same cartridge maker, opting for the Sumiko Pearl. Big improvement. The enhancement in musical clarity and detail was noticeable and immediate from the moment the stylus touched the record groove, with the most dramatic improvement with live recordings which came alive. Soundstage was open and life like, very good with low frequencies, though I did notice a bit of harshness in the high frequency range on some recordings. With all I've learned about turntables, cartridges, and the like I'm certain there is a more ideal phono cartridge for my Pro-Ject turntable, but for the money the Sumiko Pearl floats my audio enthusiast boat just fine. Again, good value.

Pros:Nice clarity & detail; open soundstage

Cons:High frequencies can sometimes sound a little hard with some recordings

A Great Cartridge at a reasonable Price

I recently upgraded my turntable by purchasing a VPI Traveler ($1400), which does not come with a cartridge. On a modest budget, I had no desire to spend another $600 - $800, but wanted a cartridge which would bring out the sonic qualities of the turntable. I purchased the Sumiko Pearl ($125), thinking it would be a good starting cartridge which I could upgrade later when I have more funds. After setting up the cartridge, I am amazed at the sonic clarity and detail this cartridge produces. Highs are crisp and clear without being too bright, bass is detailed and ample. Vocals come through very detailed and clear without any undue sibilance. I am so pleased with the musicality of this cartridge, at its very modest modest price point, I have no need to upgrade. Truly a great product at a very reasonable price.

Pros:Very reasonable price, great entry-level cartridge. set up instructions were easy to follow.

Good Cartridge

The Sumiko Pearl is a good cartridge at a good price, especially when used on the Technics SL-1200mk2. The Pearl's compliance matches well with the SL-1200mk2's tonearm mass, and, when mounted in the Audio Technica MG-10 magnesium headshell, using the forewardmost set of threads, alignment is perfect, per the Technics supplied alignment tool. This a real boon for those of us who despise the job of accurate cartridge alignment. Level the turntable, balance the arm, set VTF to 2 grams, arm height level with record surface, adjust cueing height to your preference, dial-in 2.2 grams of anti-skate, and you're home free.

Sumiko Pearl phoho cartridge

The Sumiko Pearl phono cartridge does a nice job of relayuing the music from my lps to my receiver, speakers, ect. The phono cartridge was easy to install and it came with the longer bolts, washers, and nuts. Which I needed. But you have to look for them. There hidden in the bottom of the box the phono cartridge came in. Again I like the Sumiko Pearl phono cartridge. It is a nice match to my Technics SL-5200 turntable ( OLDIE BUT GOODIE )..

Cons:Had longer bolts from a previous cartridge that I used. Found the bolts that came with the phono cartridge two days later when I was going through the cartridge box before disposal...Hidden compartment in the bottom of the box.Cartridge could use some horozantial lines across its top surface to make the alaginment of the cartridge a little easer. All-N-ALL the Sumiko Pearl is a nice phono cartridge.

Great Sound Reproduction

I replaced a Shure cartridge and I am very pleased with the sound reproduction of the Sumiko Pearl. I have a lot of vinyl that I have taken care of over the years and was thrilled by the Sumiko Pearl. Great product and I would recommend it to anyone.